Jen Trynin Gets Good Reviews, But Not Good Airplay Soundcheck Music News And Views

Sound Check - Music News and Views

May 07, 1998|By ROGER CATLIN; Courant Rock Critic

`Living the lifestyle of being a songwriter and stuff,'' says Boston's Jen Trynin, ``is not like your regular experience. Sometimes, if you're not busy for a few weeks, you can get distracted by the small things in life, like listening too carefully to people and wondering what they mean.''

A New Jersey native, whose independently produced album ``Cockamamie'' was picked up by Warner Bros. in 1995, followed up with her critically acclaimed ``Gun Shy Trigger Happy'' last year.

``I don't seem to be short on reviews,'' she agreed coolly. Not that the reviews have translated to radio airplay or big tour support. ``I don't seem short on controlling my mouth, either,'' she adds. ``I'm appreciative that reviewers seem to relate to what I do.''

However, ``I'm not particularly pleased with how this record unfolded. I didn't get out and play behind it as much as I wanted to.'' Although, she added, ``I love to write music,-- the stay- at-home part of it.''

She plays a couple of dates in Connecticut this weekend, though, tonight at the Webster Underground in Hartford and Friday at the Tune Inn in New Haven with The Gravel Pit.

Trynin says it was a combination of the Boston scene's being hot and more women being signed by record companies that led to her own contract. ``A lot of women were getting noticed in music. But if you look closer, most of those getting the biggest names are all the same,'' she says. ``It would be so much cooler if there was a wider range of women represented in music. I mean, there's all different kinds of men who get in.''

Accidental Groove opens the show tonight at the Webster Underground; The Rays and Masala open the Tune Inn show Friday.

WHAT'S NEW

Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10 a.m. for the second edition of Lilith Fair, playing the Meadows Music Theatre in Hartford July 11,-- a Saturday this year. It boasts Sarah McLachlan, Bonnie Raitt, Natalie Merchant,Lauryn Hill of the Fugees and Tracy Bonham on the main stage; and Heather Nova, Imani Coppola, Garrison Starr and local folk attraction Donna Martin on the smaller stages. Tickets are $56 and $45.50 for reserved seats in the pavilion; $28.50 for seats on the lawn.

Tickets also go on sale Saturday for quite a different sound at the Meadows,-- the triple bill of Deep Purple,Emerson Lake & Palmer and Dream Theatre on Aug. 7.

Tickets go on sale Saturday for the Furthur Festival's unusual stop at the Hartford Civic Center July 7. The show, with Grateful Dead survivors Bob Weir, Phil Lesh and Mickey,as well as ex-officio member Bruce Hornsby, performing as The Other Ones, headline a bill that otherwise includes Hot Tuna and Rusted Root. Room will be found, too, for the touring booths and sideshows that accompany the fests at their stops at amphitheaters.

The box office opens Monday for a concert by Italian romantic song sensation Andrea Bocelli with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at the Hartford Civic Center on July 19.

Tickets go on sale May 16 for John Fogerty's June 28 show at the Oakdale Theatre, which this week became part of the SFX Entertainment empire, which also owns the Meadows. Tickets also go on sale May 16 for a July 1 show by Yes with the Alan Parsons Project.

The Groton radio station Q105 upgrades its annual summer party and concert at the U.S. Naval Sub Base in Groton May 31. With the help of the Mohegan Sun casino, they've booked Sister Hazel, Blessid Union of Souls, Billie Myers, Edwin McCain, The Tuesdays and Jana for the all-day show. Tickets are $10.

Headlining Western Connecticut State University's annual WestFest Saturday is The Violent Femmes. Gates open at noon at the Charles Ives Center in Danbury.

Tickets priced at $65 and $35 go on sale Monday for the June 7 show by Aretha Franklin at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville.

Tickets go on sale May 16 at 10 a.m. for what's likely to be the only New England stop by Hanson this summer,-- June 26 at Great Woods in Mansfield, Mass., which also was purchased by SFX this week, along with the Harborlights Pavilion in Boston and the NEXT Ticketing service.

Bluegrass elder Ralph Stanley headlines the third Podunk Bluegrass Music Festival in East Hartford July 24 with The Gibson Brothers and Traver Hollow at the town green. The July 25 event at Martin Park features Laurie Lewis & Grant Street, Tim O'Brien & the O'Boys, Dale Evans & Riverbend,the GoinsBrothers, The Charlie Sizemore Band andDale Ann Bradley & Riverbend.

Jiggle the Handle headlines the first show of the season at Woodbury Ski Area May 17 with Fox Trot Zulu, Stony Hill, Hubinger Street, Free Beer Chicken and Empty Streets. Three more shows are scheduled there through the summer.